MY Guru frame has arrived at the LBS!

[Crankin]

In case you didn't see the "10/15-16 rides" thread, here it is...

[Owlie]

Very pretty! I take it everything got ironed out in the end, or are you still working a few things out?

[Crankin]

You can read my report in the weekend rides thread.
The biggest problem was the saddle, which is easily remedied (already ordered the same one i've been using for years). Ended up with different bars than they originally got.
Just have to learn to tweak my shifting with the compact.

[Owlie]

I didn't realize shifting with a compact double was that different. Did you have a triple on your Kuota?

[Crankin]

The shifting isn't different in terms of how you go up and down, as I have Shimano on both bikes. I axed the thought of getting SRAM really quickly, when I found out the differences in shifting; too many changes for switching between 2 bikes for someone who is mechanically challenged like me. Yes, my Kuota is a triple. It's just that while I actually have more gears (2) with the mountain rd on the double, it's kind of hard to find that "sweet spot." I found that when riding on a flat, I would get to a point where it either felt too easy or too hard. I started using the big ring a lot more by the end of the ride, and once I got that down, I still felt like I couldn't sustain a good pace for awhile on a flat, because I was either spinning or struggling. My average was awful, even figuring in the wind and the big climbs.

[OakLeaf]

Maybe it's a different cassette you need, rather than a change in technique?

[Crankin]

Well, I don't think this is the problem. I have a 50-34 on the front and an 11-34 on the back. I just need to learn the half click thing.
Ok, this has taken me 10 minutes to type on my new I phone. T

[redrhodie]

I bet you'll get used to the shifting in no time. Your first ride report is very encouraging, especially that you feel better descending! That's great! You didn't mention having any trouble braking, so I'm guessing you're reaching the shifter levers comfortably? I also think once you get your preferred saddle on it, it will make a huge difference.

[OakLeaf]

An 11-34 is by definition full of big gaps.

What cassettes do you have on your other bikes?

Just for example, I'm not happy without a 16T cog. Doesn't matter what's in front - 53/42 on my old race bike, 50/39/30 on my C'dale - 15 to 17 in the back is just too big a jump for my legs.

If you figure out where the jump(s) is/are where you can't find a comfortable gear, you might be able to find a cassette with a similar range but smaller gaps where it counts - by going to SRAM which is Shimano compatible, or by giving up the 11 in favor of a 12T high gear, maybe. It's definitely harder nowadays with cassettes, than it used to be when you could buy the cogs individually and slap them on a freewheel.

[Crankin]

Oak, I get what you are saying, but, I do have the combination I need... it's just in a different place, if you understand that. It's when I am in the big ring, which I discovered near the end of my ride yesterday, when I was so tired from the 2,000 feet of climbing and the wind, and just wanting to get to the end. I discovered most of what I need is in the big ring . I started my ride thinking I would mostly be in the small ring, but I was wrong. The big jumps come at the lower end of the cassette and if I need to use those when in the small ring (I did going up Oak Hill and Madigan Rd) it doesn't feel so big, it feels perfect! It's just practice
DH rode his Guru to work today and discovered a lot about the shifting and just how the bike feels. Although it's light, it's not as fast as the Kuota, but that's OK. By his ride home, his average was pretty near what it usually is. He had a compact on his Trek when they first came out and was impressed with the smoothness of the shifting compared to what he had. I probably won't ride again until Wednesday, possibly tomorrow. I want to work on the shifting, but not on that saddle!
Red, I can reach the brakes fine from the hoods. I can reach them from the drops, but according to the specs, they are about 5 mm further away than the Ultegra short reach ones I have on the Kuota. I can feel the difference, but this is the best I will get. I have to get my hands really far down into the curve of the drop. I guess it's not an issue because I still haven't got up the nerve to descend a curvy hill in the drops.
I am not overly concerned about the shifting; this is something that's been kind of intuitive for me from the beginning.
Muirenn, very funny. I live in the house where bikes have no names.

[Crankin]

Went for a short, second ride on the Guru today, taking advantage of the fact 4/14 of my clients are temporarily without their state sponsored health insurance (yea, they have to randomly re-qualify, no rhyme or reason), so I came home at 2:30. I didn't want to push it with the evil saddle.
I rode 12 miles. So, I got the half click, trimming thing down. I have come to find that like Oak said, I am missing the 16 on the cog. So, my goal is to get stronger and not tire out when I am in the big ring and the 17. If I use the 15, I am spinning, or at least it seems so. Didn't have my computer on the bike today, which was probably good. I thought I would switch it back and forth, but it's a whole process to reset when you change it, so I have another one ordered. I was on roads I know every bump on, so I went by feel. I think my speed was better than Sunday, but I just have to get the new muscle memory working.
More reason to keep going to those strength and core classes.

[tzvia]

Crankin-
Specialized makes reach adjustment wedges that I've been using on my 105 and Ultegra levers. They make it possible for me to reach the levers from the drops using the standard lever and make a big difference for me, I feel in control in the drops now.

[Crankin]

I already have the short reach levers and a short and shallow bar. It's just that they moved the reach back a couple of millimeters in the new model of the short reach levers. The brakes are reachable, but not as easily as on my other bike.
I have tried the shims on a different bike, before I got the short reach levers; I found they compromised the braking and they looked ugly, leaving a gap.
We shall see on all of this; I am going to pick up the bike at the shop today. I got my new saddle and computer, so I brought it there for them to deal with, because DH is away. Kind of stupid, since I have been really sick with bronchitis, it's been horrible weather, too. I thought I might ride this morning for an hour before I go see 2 clients, but as of now it's 32 degrees and there's black ice on the roads. There's snow on DH's car, which is in the driveway . Unfortunately, I will be working when the sun has warmed all of the ice away, and I still don't feel 100% anyway.
My goal is to ride Sunday afternoon. I'm just happy I have my saddle.

[Crankin]

Rode the Guru twice this week so far. First was a very slow (purposely) ride with DH as we are both recovering from bronchitis.
Yesterday I went out on my regular 16 mile loop. It was a gorgeous day and I felt fine, except for the fact I was overdressed (I unzipped a lot). My average was 14.3 on a loop that the last time I rode on my other bike was 16 .
I am not happy. DH is not happy I am complaining. I love the feel of the bike, but I feel like I can't go fast. I guess the geometry, which was purposefully made to be more relaxed, as we want to use these bikes for travel and "touring," is what is bugging me, as well as the different gearing. I will give myself a few points off for it being the end of the season, and being recently sick.
I guess I have to accept my weakness. Hopefully, going to core/weights class will help. No one else seems to have these issues. I truly felt like I did when I first started riding.

[redrhodie]

You've already mentioned feeling more in control on descents on the Guru. You can take it apart and travel with it. It's been made for those things. There are things you can do to make it faster, like lighter wheels, but why bother? Just remember it's not your fast bike, it's your comfortable bike, and not beat yourself up. When you want to go fast, ride your other bike.

And, try it on some different routes. You may see it's faster than the other bike on hilly rides, because of better descending.